Central Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure and work life.

The population passed quarter of a million

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Central Bedfordshire increased by 8.9%, from almost 234,000 to 254,000.

The addition of almost 21,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Central Bedfordshire was home to, on average, 2.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More homes with adult children living with their parents

This area saw Eastof England's third-largest rise in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

Across the region, only Stevenage (from 8.8% to 10%) and Rochford (from 11% to 12%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

During this period, Central Bedfordshire went from having the 19th-highest to the 11th-highest percentage of households with only adult children living with their parents out of 309 English local authority areas.

In 2011, just over 1 in 10 (10%) households in Central Bedfordshire had only adult children living with their parents, compared with 9.4% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 32% to 32%.

The proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that where a parent lived with their adult children across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Central Bedfordshire that rented privately increased from 6.9% to 12% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) households lived in social housing, compared with 14% in 2001. The percentage of Central Bedfordshire households that owner their home decreased from 77% to 73%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Central Bedfordshire increased by 5.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Central Bedfordshire, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in Central Bedfordshire working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 15% to 12% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.6%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.6% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 15% in 2001 to 11% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Central Bedfordshire decreased by 3.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Central Bedfordshire, Eastof England and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Central Bedfordshire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 6.3% to 3.9% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (85%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 73% in 2001. The percentage of Central Bedfordshire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 20% to 11%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Central Bedfordshire decreased by 2.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Central Bedfordshire, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

More single parents

The percentage of households in Central Bedfordshire, which comprised a single parent, increased from 7.6% to 9.6% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over 4 in 10 (40%) households had a married couple, compared with 45% in 2001. The percentage of households in Central Bedfordshire, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 9.5% to 11%.

The proportion of single-parent households increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.1% in 2001 to 9.5% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.5% to 11%.

The percentage of households with a single-parent in Central Bedfordshire increased by 2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Central Bedfordshire, Eastof England and England that had a single parent, March 2001 and March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links